The Milan fairgrounds are already a hive of activity. With just under a year and a half to go to the next edition of Host, which will be held from 20 to 24 October 2017, over 800 firms have already confirmed that they will be taking part.
The available space is filling up quickly for the 2017 edition of the International Hospitality Exhibition, which will be the fortieth and will take up 16 halls, two more than at the last edition.
Out in front among the firms that have confirmed that they will be returning are those operating in sectors for which Host’s leadership is acknowledged by the trade as a whole: Bars and Coffee, 65% of the space for which has already been claimed, and Foodservice, with 63%.
Things are also looking good in the Tableware sector, with 51% of the area already sold. All this just goes to show how satisfied firms are: at the last edition there was general appreciation for the quality and international nature of the contacts made.
While the big names really do have to take part at such a vital event (“we simply can’t afford not to be there,” said one firm from one of the main sectors at Host) and account for 12% of re-signings, most return exhibitors are made up (just like the Italian manufacturing industry generally) of small and medium-sized enterprises, as follows: 27% medium, 33% small, 28% micro-businesses.
Host is indeed the fair which, precisely because of the quality and the high level of innovation it offers, also attracts firms that are strong in terms more of their products than of their size. They look set to become the big names of tomorrow.
Firms are the very lifeblood of Host: with their new product ideas, events and spectacular show-cooking occasions, they will once again be breathing life into the three macro-areas into which Host is traditionally divided: Foodservice Equipment, Bread-Pizza-Pasta; Coffee-Tea; Gelato-Pastry, Bars, Coffee Machines & Vending; and Furniture & Tableware.
But where exactly are they all from?
As well as the central core of Italian firms, 40% of those who have confirmed their presence are foreign, and come from 38 countries in five continents, demonstration of the international nature of Host, which is ultimately what makes it so unique.
There is confirmation for next year of the leading manufacturing nations, which will bring innovation, excellence and quality of production.
Out in front is Germany, the country of origin of 15% of the firms that have already made sure of their place at the fair, closely followed by Spain with 14%, France and the United States with 7% and the Netherlands and Switzerland with 6%.
For the 2017 edition, Host has also decided to focus in particular on three overseas markets, the United States, Canada and the Middle East, which are attracting growing attention among buyers, firms and visitors.
So the wheels of the Host machine have been turning for some months now. The selection of buyers has already started: these will number 1,500, and will come from all five continents: a way of giving a boost to business and ensuring that representatives of the supply and demand side of things get together
